How does formal charge affect the stability of an atom?

Answer 1

Atoms become formally charged on the basis of their relative stability...

Non-metals are classified as having a HIGH nuclear charge and tending to be oxidizing, meaning they take up electrons to form anions, on the right side of the periodic table.

#1/2F_2+e^(-) rarrF^(-)#

#1/2O_2+2e^(-) rarrO^(2-)#

However, metals are materials that are rich in electrons and have a tendency to be reducing.

#MrarrM^(2+) + 2e^(-)#............

Naturally, the chemistry behind them actually involves the creation of a STABLE salt, which is a neutral mixture of positive and negative ions.

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Answer 2

Lucy Alessi

Formal charge does not directly indicate stability. Lower absolute values of formal charge suggest more stable configurations, but it's not the sole factor. Stability depends on the overall molecular or ionic structure, resonance, and distribution of charge.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.